FORMULA ONE history is littered with plenty of characters, but none quite like Eddie Jordan.
When he formed his eponymous team in 1991, he was a down-to-earth, rockand-roll figure entering a world that belonged to the rich and famous.
And what an impact the affable Irishman made, both on and off the track.
Having enjoyed some success at Formula Three level in the 1980s, Eddie Jordan Racing set its sights on the pinnacle of motorsport.
As he had done so for years, Jordan scrimped and saved to be able to fund his dream.
He had to spend wisely and did so when he hired Gary Anderson to lead a tiny team that built the first Jordan Grand Prix F1 car.
The Jordan 191 was green to match the main sponsor, soft drinks brand 7 Up, he signed to fund their racing, and surprisingly competitive.
It was also the first F1 machine Michael Schumacher ever raced, albeit briefly.
The future looked bright with the fearless young German racer on board except he wasn't.
Jordan didn't get Schumacher to sign a full contract in time and rivals Benetton swooped, and the rest is history.
Jordan's plucky outfit still went on to enjoy remarkable success including race wins and even an improbable title bid.
That was in 1999 when Heinz-Harald Frentzen secured two wins and six podiums to put into contention before a DNF while leading at the Nurburgring ended his hopes.
The team's rise had been remarkable as Jordan's wheeling and dealing put ...
When he formed his eponymous team in 1991, he was a down-to-earth, rockand-roll figure entering a world that belonged to the rich and famous.
And what an impact the affable Irishman made, both on and off the track.
Having enjoyed some success at Formula Three level in the 1980s, Eddie Jordan Racing set its sights on the pinnacle of motorsport.
As he had done so for years, Jordan scrimped and saved to be able to fund his dream.
He had to spend wisely and did so when he hired Gary Anderson to lead a tiny team that built the first Jordan Grand Prix F1 car.
The Jordan 191 was green to match the main sponsor, soft drinks brand 7 Up, he signed to fund their racing, and surprisingly competitive.
It was also the first F1 machine Michael Schumacher ever raced, albeit briefly.
The future looked bright with the fearless young German racer on board except he wasn't.
Jordan didn't get Schumacher to sign a full contract in time and rivals Benetton swooped, and the rest is history.
Jordan's plucky outfit still went on to enjoy remarkable success including race wins and even an improbable title bid.
That was in 1999 when Heinz-Harald Frentzen secured two wins and six podiums to put into contention before a DNF while leading at the Nurburgring ended his hopes.
The team's rise had been remarkable as Jordan's wheeling and dealing put ...
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Daily Record (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 21, 2025